Nearly every candidate in the 2016 presidential race, from Jeb Bush to Hillary Clinton, says they’re on our side in the fight to take our democracy back from wealthy donors -- while their Super PACs accept seven-figure checks behind the scenes.
Even Donald Trump, who gave huge sums to politicians before becoming one himself, has admitted that billionaires like him have too much influence.
We all know it’s a problem -- and we’re paying the price in policies that favor corporate interests at our expense. Now, it’s time for candidates get on board with the solutions.
Demand that presidential candidates commit to restoring government by the people and endorse "Fighting Big Money, Empowering People: A 21st Century Democracy Agenda."
When John Gardner founded Common Cause 45 years ago this week, he saw a democracy in name only -- wealthy donors buying political influence with impunity and drowning out everyone else’s voices. And it’s only gotten worse.
It’s easy to talk a big game about cleaning up Washington -- which is why so many candidates are doing it. But truly taking on the special interests and building a 21st century democracy that addresses every American’s needs means committing to specific policies:
- Amplifying every voice with small-donor public financing so candidates can win
without selling out to the highest bidder
- Reining in big donors by making their identities public, overturning Citizens United so we can pass laws that
limit campaign spending, and enforcing the laws we already have
- Protecting voters’ rights with proactive reforms, including restoring the Voting Rights Act’s protections, to ensure that no American’s voice is silenced or obstructed
Become a citizen co-signer of “Fighting Big Money, Empowering People” to let candidates know what you expect -- then tell them to do the same!
